Mission Shakti

• 15 Jul 2022

For Prelims: Important Schemes for Women Empowerment and Security

For Mains: Umbrella Scheme of Mission Shakti, Effects of Government Intervention on Society, Significance of Women in Society, Related Governement Schemes

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued detailed guidelines for the ‘Mission Shakti' scheme.

• The norms of ‘Mission Shakti’ will be applicable with effect from 1^st April 2022.

What do we need to know about Mission Shakti?

• About:
  • 'Mission Shakti' was launched during the 15^th Finance Commission period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
    • Mission Shakti is an integrated women empowerment programme is launched as an umbrella scheme for the safety, security and empowerment of women for implementation.
• Components:
  • Sambal:
    • It is for Safety and Security of Women.
    • It consists of schemes of One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), with a new component of Nari Adalats - women's collectives to promote and facilitate alternative dispute resolution and gender justice in society and within families.
  • Samarthya:
    • It is for Empowerment of Women.
    • It consists of erstwhile schemes of Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh and Working Women Hostel have been included with modifications.
      • In addition, the existing schemes of National Creche Scheme for children of working mothers and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) under umbrella Integrated Child Development Services ICDS have now been included in Samarthya.
      • A new component of Gap Funding for Economic Empowerment has also been added in the Samarthya Scheme.

What are the Services & Activities Involved?

• Emergency/ Immediate services & short-term care:
  • National toll-free number and integrated services such as temporary shelter, legal aid, psycho-social counselling, medical assistance, police facilitation and link them with existing services etc. through One Stop Centres.
• Institutional Care for long term support:
  • Taking care of the needs of women right from the conception stage till the time they need such care and support.
  • SakhiNiwas or Working Women Hostel will provide a safe and secure place for the working women.
• Behaviour Change Communication for dignity and prevention of crime and violence against women:
  • This would include large scale awareness programs and community engagement for gender sensitisation.
  • In addition, engaging with men and boys would be done to partner for countering violence against women and Gender stereotypes.

What are the Objectives of Mission Shakti?

• Provide immediate and comprehensive continuum of care, support and assistance to women affected by violence and for those in distress.
• To put in place quality mechanisms for rescue, protection and rehabilitation of women in need of assistance and victims of crime and violence.
• To improve accessibility to various government services available for women at various levels.
• Making people aware about Government schemes and programmes as well as legal provisions to fight social evils like dowry, domestic violence, Sexual Harassment at Workplace and to promote gender equality etc.
• Collaboration with partner Ministries/ Departments/ States/ UTs for convergence of policies, programmes/ schemes and to create an enabling environment for public private partnership for safety and empowerment of women across sectors.
• To prevent gender-biased sex selective elimination; to ensure survival, protection,education and development of the girl child.
• It also seeks to reduce the care burden on women and increase female labour force participation by promoting skill development, capacity building, financial literacy, access to microcredit etc.

Source: PIB